It’s a lot of fun to watch movies on Netflix, but occasionally the experience might be ruined by buffering, isn’t that right? There may be additional factors in addition to an unreliable internet connection, which is frequently the cause of this problem. Read on to learn how to resolve the Netflix continues buffering issue on your devices if you’ve been experiencing continual buffering.
7 Ways to Fix Netflix Keeps Buffering Problems (2022)
Netflix makes every effort to prevent any buffering issues on its end. However, there are times when a server problem or a glitchy update can cause your Netflix binge to end abruptly. However, our internet connection or the device we use to stream Netflix are frequently at blame for the buffering problem. We will examine every conceivable cause of a Netflix video buffering issue along with effective fixes.
What is Buffering on Netflix?
The video buffers when it loads more slowly than the playback speed. It typically occurs when an internet connection is slow. A frozen screen or a number in a red circle in the centre of your screen are possible symptoms. You are experiencing a Netflix buffering issue if the number remains at zero or is unable to increase over one hundred.
Additionally, you’ll see that the bottom red timeline bar is immobile. The bar normally appears dark grey, with a red line indicating the video that has been played and the current timestamp. How much content is already preloaded for streaming on your device is indicated by the light grey line. If you have a wider light grey line, buffering won’t be an issue.
If there are any problems with your device, the screen may occasionally freeze. Since there is no delay in the video due to faulty loading, we won’t call it buffering. Instead, there may be hardware issues causing the app to hang. In most cases, restarting the software or hardware resolves this problem. Let’s take a closer look at some further options.
How to Fix When Netflix Keeps Buffering
On your phone, laptop, smart TV, streaming device, or other gadgets, you might be watching Netflix. Any device should be able to use some of these solutions to stop Netflix from buffering. However, you should try checking to see if your gadget is operating properly if none of these work for you. Here are the most popular solutions for Netflix buffering issues.
Check your Internet Connection
Netflix buffering is most frequently caused by a sluggish internet connection. Therefore, to stream Netflix video, make sure your internet connection is quick. On Fast.com, you may check your internet speed. Your ability to stream online videos is shown by the website.
Netflix advises having a minimum of 3 Mbps internet for Standard definition (SD), 5 Mbps for High definition (HD), and a 25 Mbps connection for 4K/Ultra HD in order to stream online content (UHD). You should troubleshoot your internet issues if your connection speed is slower than the recommended limit. Here are a few methods you might use to fix your internet issue.
Restart your Wi-Fi Modem
Checking to see if your modem is functioning properly and performing a quick restart will solve your problem with a slow internet connection the easiest and fastest method possible. Remove the plug from the socket and turn off your internet router. Restart your router after 10 minutes have passed. Check your internet speed once more to see whether it has been restored. If not, employ the next strategy.
Use Wired Connection
Use the LAN wire to connect to the Wi-Fi network if you want to watch Netflix on your laptop or PC. Wired connections operate more quickly than wireless ones. Additionally, most contemporary smart TVs contain a LAN connector for using a LAN cable to access the internet. Additionally, you can use the LAN cable to connect your gaming consoles, such as the Xbox and PlayStation. Your internet speed will dramatically increase as a result, allowing for greater Netflix streaming. Unfortunately, you cannot connect a LAN cable directly to your smartphone. If you choose, you may easily fix this issue by using an external LAN adapter.
Reposition your Wi-Fi Router
This approach might seem a little childish, but trust me when I say it works. Your home has an unequal distribution of the Wi-Fi signal. So, if your router is in a different room, move it there. Your internet speed will increase if there are no obstructions standing in the way of your device and the Wi-Fi modem. You won’t receive a miracle result, but you will undoubtedly experience improved speed.
Contact your Internet Service Provider
Last but not least, I advise calling customer service if you are still not receiving the internet speed your ISP guarantees even rebooting the router. To increase your speed and return you to the promised one, they can restart your connection from their end. There are occasions when the internet service is unavailable due to unforeseen events like harsh weather or physical damage to the internet wire. It’s advisable to either wait for your ISP to fix the problem or switch to another internet provider, like your mobile data.
I like to keep offline content handy for situations like this. Your favourite TV shows can be automatically downloaded for later viewing with Netflix’s smart download feature. Read more about these features in our comprehensive guide to Netflix tips.
Change your Video Stream Quality on Netflix
Netflix chooses the ideal streaming video quality based on your internet speed. However, it only functions if the streaming quality is set to Auto. In order to utilise less internet bandwidth, lower the default streaming quality if it is set to High. Anytime I can choose interrupted binge-watching over a little quality sacrifice. In addition, viewing a show in HD rather than UHD isn’t all that horrible if you can avoid Netflix’s bothersome buffering. This tip will preserve your mobile data, which is especially useful if you’re using your smartphone to stream Netflix. Here’s how to manually alter Netflix’s streaming quality.
- Open the Netflix website (visit) in a web browser. Hover over the profile icon at the top-right corner and click on Account .
- Now, scroll down and click on the Profile for which you want to change the streaming quality.
- Click on the Playback settings option.
- Select Medium or Low for lower video quality. Or, you can keep it on Auto if you trust Netflix.
- Lastly, click on the Save button to confirm your choice.
You were able to effectively alter the Netflix profile’s video streaming quality. Each Profile only has access to this setting. As a result, the streaming quality that has been selected for other profiles on your Netflix account will still be used.
Note:If your internet connection is having issues, any of the procedures listed above will help you fix Netflix issues. The item itself, though, may occasionally be the issue. Let’s look at several methods to improve the functionality of your gadget for better Netflix watching.
Clear Cache on your Browser
You should think about deleting the cache and data from your browser if Netflix keeps buffering on your device. This is typically a good technique to fix any browser-related difficulties, including a corrupt cache memory. Here’s how to clear your web browser’s cache and data.
It should be noted that clearing your browser’s cache will log you out of all active webpages.
- Open your web browser and press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Shift+Command+Delete for Mac). It will open the option for clearing browsing data.
- Now, go to Advanced and select All time under the Time range option. Check all boxes (except for the Passwords option) as well.
- Lastly, click on Clear data to remove all the cached data from your browser.
Check Netflix once more to check if it’s still slow. If you believe your browser isn’t operating properly, consider using a different one. Or, if the issue still exists, update your browser.
Clear App Data to Fix Netflix Keeps Buffering on Android
Clearing the app data can assist in resolving buffering issues when using Netflix on an Android device. This is how to go about it.
You must log back in to Netflix on your phone after removing your app data, so keep that in mind.
- Press and hold the Netflix app icon on your home screen or within the app drawer on your phone. From the context menu that pops up, tap on App Info . If you don t see App Info here, it might be represented by a simple i icon on your phone.
- Tap on Storage and then tap on Clear Storage (or Clear Data).
Reinstall Netflix on your Device
Netflix may still be buffering for you even if deleting the app’s data typically fixes the problem. Additionally, you can’t remove app data if you have an iPhone. In these situations, it’s preferable to reinstall Netflix in order to attempt a remedy.
Uninstall and Reinstall Netflix on Android
- Long press on the Netflix icon on your home screen or within the app drawer. From the context menu that shows up, tap on Uninstall .
- In the confirmation box, tap on Ok to uninstall the app from your smartphone.
- Download Netflix (free) from the Play Store again, and it should hopefully have fixed any issues.
Uninstall and Reinstall Netflix on iPhone
- Press and hold the Netflix icon on your home screen, or the App Library on your iPhone.
- Tap on Remove App and then on Delete App to uninstall Netflix.
- Download Netflix (free) from the App Store and it should have fixed any problems.
Restart your Device
If you use a device for a prolonged period of time, it may occasionally operate incorrectly. The RAM fills up with useless data, which degrades device performance. Restarting your device is the quickest solution to such a problem. All of the background apps will be shut down, giving you a clean slate on your device. By holding down the power button for a long time and choosing Restart or Power Off, you can restart your smartphone. Choose Restart or Shut Down from the Start Menu to restart or shut down your computer.
Close Unnecessary Applications and Tabs
Close other unused programmes to free up RAM for Netflix if you must avoid restarting or shutting down your smartphone for any reason. Your computer resources may be drained by some resource-intensive programmes, such as Photoshop or a game running in the background, making it impossible for you to quietly watch your preferred Netflix TV show. Similar to this, if you use a browser to watch Netflix, close all the tabs that are not necessary to give Netflix extra RAM.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why does Netflix keep buffering?
Netflix may continue to delay for a variety of reasons, including a slow internet connection, faulty software upgrades, a higher streaming quality than your device can handle, or a Netflix server issue. This article covered every solution to Netflix’s buffering issue.
Why is Netflix lagging on my smart TV?
Netflix may be lagging on your smart TV if your internet connection is slow or an unstable programme update is to blame. To fix the problem, try rebooting your smartphone, examining your internet connection, and updating the app.
What is the preferred internet speed to stream Netflix?
Netflix advises having a minimum of 3 Mbps internet for Standard definition (SD), 5 Mbps for High definition (HD), and a 25 Mbps connection for 4K/Ultra HD streaming to ensure uninterrupted viewing (UHD). If you download or stream content to a second device while utilising the same network, the speed will be distributed.
Watch Netflix Without any Buffering Issues
We covered all the causes of the Netflix maintains buffering issues, even though Netflix doesn’t typically experience them as long as you have a quick and reliable internet connection. You should now be able to watch your favourite Netflix TV series without interruption thanks to one of the solutions described in this post. Please let us know in the comments if there is anything we’ve left out of this article.